Methods of administering wagering games and related systems and apparatuses

ABSTRACT

A card wagering game wherein availability of at least one card for inclusion in a player hand for resolution of the wagering game is dependent upon winning of a wager. In some embodiments, a player wagers that a second unrevealed player card is higher or lower in rank than a first already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the second player card is available for inclusion in the player hand. In some embodiments, a player further wagers that a third unrevealed player card is higher or lower in rank than the second already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the third player card is available for inclusion in the player hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/401,606, filed Mar. 10, 2009, for “HIGHER OR LOWER POKER GAME,” which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/068,638, filed Mar. 10, 2008, for “HIGHER OR LOWER POKER,” the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to methods of administering wagering games for casinos and other gaming establishments, and related systems and apparatuses. More specifically, disclosed embodiments relate to methods of, and systems and apparatuses for administering wagering games wherein availability of cards for inclusion in a player hand is dependent upon outcomes of wagers.

BACKGROUND

Poker is a popular wagering game played in casinos and other gaming establishments. Many variants of poker have been developed, including without limitation five card draw, five card stud, seven card stud, Mississippi Stud™, Texas Hold'em, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em™. However, avid players are always open to new and more interesting ways to play existing poker games, particularly when the reward for a winning outcome at the end of a round of play, or the odds of achieving a winning outcome, may be enhanced.

Since the number of cards employed in a poker game is fixed within certain practical limits, and various poker hands and their relative ranks are and have been well-established for over a century, evolution of the game of poker in terms of meaningful variations is somewhat constrained.

In addition, it has been recognized, through play of certain wagering games such as Let it Ride™, a variation of five card stud poker, that many players prefer to play against pay tables and not against a dealer hand. In Let it Ride™, three player cards and two community cards are used to form a five card hand. A portion of a player's Ante wager may be withdrawn from the pot prior to each of the two community cards being revealed. However, some players who enjoy Let it Ride™ also desire greater game volatility, and more wager opportunities, particularly in the course of a round of play.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure comprise card wagering games wherein availability of at least one card for inclusion in a player hand for resolution of the wagering game is dependent upon winning of a wager. In one embodiment, a player wagers that a second unrevealed card is higher or lower in rank than a first already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the second card is available for inclusion in the player hand. In some embodiments, the player further wagers that a third unrevealed card is higher or lower in rank than the second, already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the third card is available for inclusion in the player hand. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third cards are cards dealt to the player. In other embodiments, the first, second, and third cards dealt are common, or community, cards. In still further embodiments, the first card may be a player card and the second and third cards may be a common, or community, card. In yet further embodiments, the first card may be a common, or community, card and the second and third cards dealt may be player cards.

In some embodiments, methods of administering wagering games comprise accepting an initial wager from each participating player position, dealing a plurality of cards to each participating player position, dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position, and receiving a check or an additional play wager from each participating player position. Responsive to receiving a check decision, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, at least one of the plurality of player cards may be removed from that respective participating player position. If the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, the additional wager may be left in play. If the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, another check or a second additional play wager may be received from each participating player position. Responsive to receiving the another check decision, or if the second additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, at least another of the plurality of player cards may be removed from that respective participating player position. If the second additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, the additional wager may be left in play. The plurality of cards at the common card position may be revealed, the dealer may consider the plurality of cards remaining at each participating player position in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for that respective participating player position, and a payout may be paid for a predetermined winning player hand composition.

In other embodiments, in methods of administering wagering games, the dealer may receive an Ante wager from each player participating in the game. The dealer may deal at least three cards to each player, face down, placing a first card of the at least three cards in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, face down, for each player. The dealer may deal a plurality of common cards and may reveal the first card in the first card area for each player. The dealer may accept one of a check and an additional wager from each player. When the dealer accepts a check from a player, the dealer may remove at least the second card from the second area for that respective player. When the dealer receives an additional wager from a player, the dealer may resolve the additional wager for that respective player by: revealing the second card for that respective player, taking the additional wager and removing the second card responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively not higher or lower than the first card, and leaving the additional wager in play and leaving the second card in play responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card. The dealer may receive one of another check or a second additional play wager from each player. When the dealer receives a second additional play wager from a player, the dealer may resolve the second additional play wager for that respective player by: revealing the third card for that respective player, taking the second additional play wager and removing the third card responsive to a player predicting that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third player card is not higher or lower than the second card, and leaving the second additional bet in play and leaving the third card in play responsive to a player predicting that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card. The dealer may reveal the plurality of common cards, may determine, for each player, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not removed cards for each player with the plurality of common cards, and may pay a payout to a player when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.

In still other embodiments, methods of administering wagering games comprise accepting an Ante wager from each player participating in the game. The dealer may deal at least three cards to each participating player, face down, may deal a plurality of cards to a common card position, and may position each card dealt to a participating player face down in one of at least a first position, a second position, and a third position. The dealer may reveal a card in the first position for each participating player and may accept, from each participating player, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the first position. For each participating player, the dealer may reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards, may remove all cards for a player except the card in the first position when a player checks, may take the high wager and may remove the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position, may leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position, may take the low wager and may remove the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position, and may leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position. If the card in the second position is not removed, and before the cards in the common card position are revealed, the dealer may accept, from each participating player, another election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the second position. For each participating player, the dealer may reveal a remaining card of the three cards in the third position, may remove the card in the third position for a player when a player checks, may take the high wager and may remove the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position, may leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the first position, may take the low wager and may remove the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position, and may leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position. The dealer may reveal the plurality of cards in the common card position, may combine the revealed card or cards for each participating player with the at least one common card to form a poker hand, and may pay each participating player having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.

Further embodiments may include one, some, or all of the following: The acts of the dealer may be carried out by a visual representation of a dealer, the visual representation being generated and/or displayed by a computer. The visual representation may be a virtual person (e.g., an animation), or may be a transmission (e.g., a video) of an actual person. The visual representation may be part of an online gaming experience of the disclosed game. The acts described in this disclosure associated with a dealer, including dealing cards, displaying or turning cards over, receiving or paying bets, or any other actions, may be represented in any way when used in an online environment. For example, the cards associated with a dealer action, described as being dealt or otherwise handled by a dealer, may appear as virtual cards or as transmitted pictures of physical cards. This may include a display of virtual card decks where each deck, individual card, and hand is displayed to an online player in a manner consistent with the game play disclosed herein, but may or may not include a visual representation of a dealer with the cards. Likewise, betting activity may be displayed in any manner to a player, including, but not limited to, virtual chips, betting pools, numbers, or other indicia of a bet amount.

The online experience may involve players playing remotely (e.g., in a different physical location) from the dealer, the location of a game server, or both, interacting through a networked connection that may include but is not limited to the Internet. The online game play may involve players who are also physically remote from each other. Remote connections may use networks involving several types of network links, including but not limited to the Internet. Networked connections allowing physically remote players to play a game using a game server or system may be part of an implementation of a virtual or online gaming environment.

The actions described in this disclosure as the acts of a player, including betting, card selection (if any), card discards (if any), or any other actions, may be carried out over a network where the indicated actions are received as input to a device. The input-receiving device is typically physically remote from the game server or game host and connected over a long-distance network, but could be implemented over a wired or wireless LAN in one building, or even in one room, for example. In one embodiment, game play generated at the server or host location may be displayed on the same device as the receiving device. In some embodiments, game play may be conveyed to remote players in devices separate from the devices receiving input from a player, such as public screens or publicly broadcast data about a game coupled with individual or private input devices. The reception of an input at a device may be accomplished through any technology adapted for such a purpose, including but not limited to keypads, keyboards, touchpads, mice, optical location devices, eye movement/location detectors, sound input devices, etc. When discussing a device, it is understood the device may comprise multiple components and be complex, including hardware components combined with firmware and/or software, and may itself be a subcomponent of a larger system.

Yet other embodiments may comprise apparatuses and systems for administering wagering games according to embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart diagram of a method of administering a wagering game;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a playing surface for implementation of the wagering game;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagram of one of the player positions of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an individual electronic gaming device configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a suitable table configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a suitable table configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games having a virtual dealer;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system for implementing waging games according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a high-level block diagram of a computer for acting as a gaming system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular act in a method of administering a wagering game, apparatus for use in administering a wagering game, or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. Thus, the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation.

The terms “gaming,” “gambling,” or the like, refer to activities, games, sessions, rounds, hands, rolls, operations, and other events related to wagering games such as web games, casino games, card games, dice games, and other games whose outcome is at least partially based on one or more random events (“chance” or “chances”), and on which wagers may be placed by a player. In addition, the word “wager,” “bet,” “bid” or the like, refer to any type of wagers, bets or gaming ventures that are placed on random events, whether of monetary or non-monetary value. Points, credits, and other items of value may be purchased, earned, or otherwise issued prior to beginning the wagering game. In some embodiments, purchased points, credits, or other items of value may have an exchange rate that is not one-to-one to the currency used by the user. For example, a wager may include money, points, credits, symbols, or other items that may have some value related to a wagering game. Wagers may be placed in wagering games that are “play for pay” as well as “play for fun,” as will be described in more detail below.

In one embodiment, a wagering game comprises a stud poker game, wherein each player is offered the opportunity to earn extra cards for inclusion in his or her hand. Players may, optionally, make a side bonus wager on a community card hand.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flow chart diagram of a method 100 of administering such a wagering game is shown. A first wager may be accepted from each participating player position, as indicated at 102. The first wager may comprise, for example, an initial wager, a play wager, or an Ante wager to play an underlying wagering game. The underlying wagering game may comprise, for example, poker or a variant of poker, which may be played against a dealer hand or against a pay table. The first wager may be accepted, for example, by physically receiving money or a representation of money (e.g., a chip or token) or by receiving electronic authorization to charge a player account (e.g., a credit account, a bank account). More specifically, the first wager may be accepted, for example, by physically receiving chips within a first wager position 132 on a playing surface 120 of a playing table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6) or by receiving electronic authorization at a processor 314, 328, or 542 to charge a player account via a player interface 232, 316, 432, 520, 550, or 554 (see FIGS. 4 through 8), which may be remotely located from a dealer or game server 506 (see FIG. 7).

Cards may be dealt to each participating player position, as indicated at 104. Such cards may be used by respective individual players to form a portion of a hand in playing the underlying wagering game. At least one of the cards dealt to at least one participating player position may be dealt face down in some embodiments. For example, two cards may be dealt to each participating player position, with one card being face up and the other being face down. As another example, three cards may be dealt to each participating player position, with one card being face up and the other two being face down. As yet another example, all cards dealt to each participating player position may be dealt face down. Dealing the cards may comprise, for example, physically placing physical playing cards in each participating player position or electronically displaying representations of playing cards (e.g., images, text, or both) for each participating player position. More specifically, the cards may be dealt, for example, by physically distributing physical playing cards within designated card areas 124, 126, 128, and 130 on a playing surface 120 of a playing table 300 or 400 in each participating player position 122 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6) or displaying electronic representations of randomly generated playing cards on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player station 122 (see FIGS. 2 through 8). In one embodiment, the electronically generated cards are displayed to remote players over networks.

Cards may be dealt to a common card position, as indicated at 106. Such cards may comprise common cards (e.g., community cards), which may be used by all the participating players to complete (i.e., by forming a portion or an entirety of) the hand in playing the underlying wagering game. For example, two cards, three cards, four cards, five cards, or a greater number of cards may be dealt to the common card position. At least one of the cards dealt to the common card position may be dealt face down to conceal the rank and suit of such cards from the players at the beginning of a round of the wagering game in some embodiments. For example, all the cards dealt to the common card position may be dealt face down. Dealing the cards may comprise performing any of the actions described previously in connection with dealing cards to each participating player position.

A second wager may be accepted from at least one participating player position, as indicated at 108. The second wager may comprise, for example, an additional wager, an additional play wager, or a side wager to participate in a side wagering game, the outcome of which may determine a number of cards available to a given participating player position to form a hand. The side wagering game may comprise, for example, predicting whether a rank of a concealed card that will be subsequently revealed will be higher than or lower than a rank of a currently visible card (e.g., “High or Low”), wagering that a combined rank of a currently concealed card that will be subsequently revealed and a currently visible card will be below a predetermined combined rank (e.g., below 13, below 15, or below 17), or wagering that a combined rank of a currently concealed card that will be subsequently revealed and a currently visible card will be closer to 21 than a combined rank of two dealer cards (e.g., a variant of blackjack). In some embodiments, the second wager may be optional, and players may participate in the underlying wagering game without making the second wager. In other embodiments, the second wager may be mandatory to play the wagering game. The second wager may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with acceptance of the first wager.

Players who elect not to place the second wager, in embodiments where the second wager is optional, may elect to play with the cards currently available to them (i.e., to “stay”) in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the amount at stake for the players who elect to stay may only be the amount of the first wager (and the amount of any bonus wager, as described below) and the number of cards available to form a hand for the player may be the minimum allowed by the game rules (e.g., five, four, three, etc.). In other embodiments, players who elect not to place the second wager, where the second wager is optional, may elect to subsequently place further wagers (e.g., a third wager, a fourth wager, etc.), a winning outcome for which may increase the number of cards available to form a hand for the player. In other words, the player may elect to “check,” by temporarily electing not to make a specific wager, rather than to stay, by permanently electing not to make any more wagers.

The second wager may be resolved according to game rules, as indicated at 110. The game rules may comprise the rules of High or Low in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the second wager may be resolved by comparing a first card dealt to a participating player position face up with a second card that was originally dealt to the participating player position face down, but is revealed to resolve the second wager, with reference to the player's prediction that the second card would be higher in rank or lower in rank than the first card. For example, cards may be ranked in ascending order from 2 to 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, with Ace being the highest ranked card. If the player's prediction is correct, the second wager is resolved in favor of the player. If, however, the player's prediction is incorrect, the second wager is resolved against the player. In some embodiments, the second wager may be resolved as a player win when the rank of the second card is equal to the rank of the first card. In other embodiments, the second wager may be resolved as a player loss when the rank of the second card equals the rank of the first card. Resolving the second wager may comprise, for example, physically turning over a physical card a visually comparing the first and second cards or electronically comparing the card ranks using a processor.

After determining whether each participating player who made the second wager wins or loses the second wager, a greater number of cards may be made available to each winning player position than a number of cards made available to each non-winning player position, as indicated at 110. For example, players who won the second wager may retain the second card such that the second card is available to those players to form a hand in the underlying wagering game. The second card may be taken from players who lost the second wager such that the second card is not available to those players to form a hand in the underlying wagering game. In embodiments where the second wager is optional, the second card may also be taken from any player who elected not place the second wager (e.g., who checked).

The second wager may be left in play for each winning player position, as indicated at 110. Such a gaming structure may entice players to place the second wager because winning the second wager increases both the likelihood that the player will win the first wager by increasing the number of cards available to form a hand in the underlying wagering game and the amount the player stands to win by increasing the amount of money at stake. The second wager for each losing player position may be retained by the house.

In some embodiments, further wagers (e.g., third wagers, fourth wagers, etc.) beyond the second wager may be accepted from at least one participating player position. For example, actions 108 and 110 may be repeated at least one more time (e.g., one time for a third wager, two times for a third and a fourth wager, etc.), which may further entice players to place such further wagers because winning such further wagers may further increase the likelihood that the player will win by increasing the number of cards available to form a hand in the underlying wagering game and the amount the player stands to win by increasing the amount of money at stake. In some embodiments, only players who made and won the second wager may be permitted to place further wagers beyond the second wager. In other embodiments, only players who made the second wager may be permitted to place further wagers, regardless of whether they won the second wager. In still other embodiments, any player may be permitted to place further wagers, regardless of whether they placed the second wager. In yet other embodiments, the first, second, and any further wagers may be mandatory wagers. The further wagers may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the first wager.

In some embodiments, further wagers may be resolved by comparing a rank of a next card revealed at a player position for a given wager to a most recently previously revealed card. For example, a third card in the participating player position may be revealed and compared to the second card, a fourth card may be revealed and compared to the third card, etc. In other embodiments, further wagers may be resolved by comparing the rank of the first revealed card to the next revealed card for a given wager. For example, the third card in the participating player position may be revealed and compared to the first card, the fourth card may be revealed and compared to the first card, etc. In still other embodiments, further wagers may be resolved by comparing the rank of the next card revealed in a player position or in a common card position for a given wager with other cards, such as cards specifically dealt for the purpose of the further wagers and not used in the player or common card positions, cards in a dealer position used to form a dealer hand, or cards in the common card positions.

Players who elect not to place the further wagers, in embodiments where the further wagers are optional, may elect to play with the cards currently available to them (i.e., to “stay”) in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the amount at stake for the players who elect to stay may only be the amount of the first wager (and the amount of any second wager previously placed and won and any bonus wager, as described below) and the number of cards available to form a hand for the player may be the minimum, between the minimum and the maximum, or the maximum allowed by the game rules (e.g., five, four, three, etc.), depending on the outcomes of the second and further wagers and the number of further wagers allowed. In other embodiments, players who elect not to place one further wager (e.g., a third wager), where that further wager is optional, may elect to subsequently place other further wagers (e.g., a fourth wager, etc.), a winning outcome for which may increase the number of cards available to form a hand for the player. In other words, the player may elect to “check,” by temporarily electing not to make a specific wager, rather than to stay, by permanently electing not to make any more wagers.

A bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the cards in the common card position may be accepted from at least one participating player position in some embodiments. Predetermined winning community hand compositions may comprise, for example, poker hands formable using fewer than five cards. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the bonus wager may comprise a wager that a four-card hand formable solely from cards in the common card position will be a predetermined winning community four-card hand composition. For example, predetermined winning community hand compositions may comprise a specific high card, one pair, two pair, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, four of a kind, or a straight flush. The bonus wager may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the first wager.

The cards at the common card position may be revealed, as indicated at 112. For example, the cards at the common card position may by physically turned over or may be electronically displayed on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player station 122 (see FIGS. 2 through 8).

The cards remaining at each participating player position may be considered in conjunction with the cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for that respective participating player position, as indicated at 114. Players who won the second wager or any further wagers (or any combination of such wagers) may have a greater number of revealed and not removed cards available from which to select a hand for their respective participating player positions. The groups of cards forming hands may comprise, for example, poker hands or hands for a variant of poker (e.g., two-card hands, three-card hands, four-card hands, five-card hands, etc.) according to poker hand rankings, which are well known in the art. Considering the cards may comprise visually reviewing the cards and announcing the group or hand formed by the cards or electronically comparing all hands that could possibly be formed by the cards using a processor 314, 328, or 542, selecting a particular group of cards to form a hand (e.g., the best possible hand given the cards available from which to select) using the processor 314, 328, or 542, and displaying the hand on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player station 122 (see FIGS. 2 through 8).

In some embodiments, a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition (e.g., a predetermined winning hand rank) may be paid, as indicated at 116. For example, the hand for each player may be compared to a pay table listing predetermined winning player hand compositions to determine whether the player wins the first wager. For example, a player may win the first wager, including any amounts added to the first wager as a result of winning the second and any further wagers, when that player's cards and the common cards are combined to form a five-card poker hand comprising a rank of two pair or higher. The first wager (and any second and further wagers) of each player whose cards are not combinable with the common cards to form a predetermined winning player hand composition may be collected by the house.

For example, a fixed multiple of the first wager (and any second and further wagers that remain in play) may be awarded (i.e., a fixed payout), an award proportional to the odds of achieving a particular poker hand may be awarded (i.e., an odds payout), or a fixed multiple of the first wager (and any second and further wagers that remain in play) with increasing multipliers for less likely hands may be awarded (i.e., a fixed odds payout). The first, second, and any further wagers may be collected by the house if the hand for a respective player does not form a predetermined winning player hand composition. The payout may be paid, for example, by physically giving money or a representation of money (e.g., a chip or token) or by granting electronic authorization to transfer funds to a player account (e.g., a credit account or a bank account). More specifically, the payout may be paid, for example, by physically placing chips within a player position 122 on a playing surface 120 of a playing table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6) or by granting electronic authorization at a processor 314, 328, or 542 to transfer funds from an account server 510 to a player account (see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8).

In other embodiments, a payout for a playing hand composition that is of a higher rank than a rank of a dealer hand may be paid (not shown in FIG. 1). For example, cards may be dealt to a dealer position and combined with the cards in the common card position to form a dealer hand. The dealer hand may be compared to each player hand to determine whether the player hand is of a higher rank than a rank of the dealer hand according to the rules of poker or a variant of poker. Such a payout may take any of the forms and may be paid by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the payout for the first wager (and any second and further wagers remaining in play).

The payout for achieving a predetermined winning player hand composition may be the same as for achieving a predetermined winning community hand composition (e.g., they may be taken from a common pay table) in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the payout for achieving a predetermined winning player hand composition may be higher or lower than the payout for achieving a predetermined winning community hand composition.

When a player has achieved a predetermined wining player hand composition (regardless of whether the first wager is made against a dealer or a pay table) and previously made a second wager, one or more further wagers, or some combination of second and further wagers, that player may receive an additional payout based on the amount left in play for the second wager, the further wager or wagers, or the combination of second and further wagers. For example, a fixed odds payout based on a pay table may be paid to such a player. Such a gaming structure may entice players to make the second and further wagers because they increase the amount available to be won by a player.

A payout may be paid to each player who made the bonus wager if the cards in the common card position comprise a predetermined winning community hand composition. For example, the hand formed solely with the cards in the common card position may be compared to a pay table listing predetermined winning community hand compositions to determine whether the player wins the bonus wager in some embodiments. In such embodiments, a player may win the bonus wager when the cards in the common card position form, for example, a four-card poker hand, a three-card poker hand, or a two-card poker hand of a predetermined rank (e.g., one pair, two pair, etc.) or higher. In other embodiments, the hand formable solely with the cards in the common card position may be compared to a rotating schedule of predetermined winning community hand compositions that changes with each passing round or each time a predetermined winning community hand composition is dealt, to a random selection of predetermined winning community hand compositions that changes with each passing round or each time a predetermined winning community hand composition is dealt, or to set of predetermined winning community hand compositions that includes increasingly-likely-to-be-achieved hands with each passing round of play during which a predetermined winning community hand composition is not dealt. The hand formed from the cards in the common card position may be formed using a different number of cards than the number used to form a predetermined winning player hand composition, as discussed previously in connection with reference numeral 114. The payout may take any of the forms and may be paid by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the payout for the first wager (and any second and further wagers remaining in play).

Various platforms are contemplated that are suitable for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure. For example, embodiments of wagering games may be implemented such that one or more players may place wagers and engage in game play according to the rules of the wagering games. For example, wagering games may be implemented on gaming tables, which may include physical gaming features, such as physical cards, physical chips, and may include a live dealer. More specifically, a live dealer may deal physical cards, accept wagers, issue payouts, and perform other administrative functions of game play. Some embodiments may be implemented on electronic devices enabling electronic gaming features, such as providing electronic displays for display of virtual cards, virtual chips, game instructions, pay tables, etc. Some embodiments may include features that are a combination of physical and electronic features.

As an example, embodiments of wagering games may be implemented on an individual gaming device for accepting wagers that has a display screen and inputs for enabling game play of the wagering games. Such an individual gaming device may be linked with other gaming devices that may be operated, for example, by other players. Some individual electronic gaming devices may be referred to as an individual player “cabinet” and may be stationary, such as being located on a casino floor. Other individual electronic gaming devices may be portable devices that may be carried to different locations by the player. Portable devices may include both display of the ongoing game play and input reception for game play by a player, or, may be for receiving input from a player while the game play is displayed on a public monitor, or other display device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of a playing surface 120 for implementation of the wagering game is shown. Such an implementation may comprise a felt layout on a physical gaming table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) or an electronic representation on a video display 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player station 122 (see FIGS. 2 through 8). The playing surface 120 may define a plurality of participating player positions 122 within which the activity (e.g., wagering and card dealing) for individual players may take place. The playing surface 120 may also define a common card position 124 within which common cards may be dealt.

Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged diagram of one of the player positions 122 of FIG. 2 is shown. Each player position 122 may define a first card area 126, a second card area 128, and any additional card areas 130 in which player cards may be dealt. Each player position may further define a first wager position 132 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the first wager is accepted, a second wager position 134 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the second wager is accepted, any further wager positions 136 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when any further wagers are accepted, and a bonus wager position 138 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the bonus wagers is accepted.

With combined reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a specific implementation of the wagering game described in connection with FIG. 1 is presented. Each participating player (hereinafter also “player” for convenience) may make an Ante wager at the first wager position 132 and, optionally, a 4 Card Bonus wager at the bonus wager position 138. The dealer deals three randomized cards, face down, at each player position 122, and spreads the cards to the first card area 126, the second card area 128, and the additional card area 130 in front of that player. In some embodiments, the randomized cards are dispensed (e.g., from a card handling device) in packets of three cards to the dealer. The dealer then deals four community cards, face down, at the common card position 124. In some embodiments, two packets of randomized cards are dispensed from the card handling device, the dealer takes the first packet and places the cards face down in front of the dealer, then takes the top card from a second packet and places the top card atop the original stack of three cards, forming the group of four community cards. The dealer then reveals a down card at the first card area 126 for each player.

Each player is offered a choice as to how to proceed to form a partial hand, to be combined with cards of the community cards, to form a complete player hand. A player may check or make a bet, for example 1× (i.e., one times or equal to) his Ante wager, that the rank of the next down card (e.g., at the second card area 128) will be higher or lower than the rank of the revealed card at the first card area 126. This may be indicated by placing at bet in an appropriate area associated with the second wager position 128, marked either “Hi” or “Lo.” Game rules dictate that an Ace is always high, and ties between card rank values are a win.

If a player checks, the dealer removes the two remaining face down cards at the second and additional card areas 128 and 130. If that player made a first Hi/Lo wager, the dealer then reveals the player's second down card in the second card area 128. If the player guessed wrong, the first Hi/Lo wager, the revealed second card at the second card area 128, and the remaining face down card at the additional card area 130 are all removed (i.e., collected by the house). The player, at that point, has no more decisions, and is left with a single “hole” card from which a complete player hand will be formed with the community cards in what is termed a “showdown.”

If the player guessed correctly, the first Hi/Lo wager remains in play and the player can then check or make another Hi/Lo wager of 1× his Ante wager that a rank of the remaining face down card at the additional card area 130 will be higher or lower than the rank of the revealed card at the second card area 128. Again, this may be indicated by placing a bet of 1× the Ante wager in a further wager position 136 associated with the additional card area 130, marked either “Hi” or “Lo.” As before, game rules dictate that an Ace is always high, and ties between card rank values are a win.

The dealer then reveals the final down card at the additional card area 130. If the player guessed wrong, the dealer removes the further Hi/Lo wager and the third card in the additional card area 130 that was just revealed, leaving the player with two hole cards from which a complete hand will be formed with the community cards in the showdown.

If the player guessed correctly, the second Hi/Lo wager remains in play and the player retains all three cards for the showdown and completion of a hand with the community cards. The dealer reveals the four community cards and, for each player, combines some or all of the four community cards with some or all of the one, two, or three hole cards of each player to make the best possible five-card poker hand. The Ante wager is paid 1:1 if a player holds at least two pair. Predetermined winning hands for the Hi/Lo wager or wagers by each player are paid according to a schedule, such as a pay table. One example of a pay table is as follows:

Royal Flush 300 to 1 Straight Flush 50 to 1 4 of a Kind 25 to 1 Full House 7 to 1 Flush 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 3 of a Kind 3 to 1 2 Pair 1 to 1 If a player has made the optional 4 Card Bonus wager, that wager, if won, is paid according to the same schedule, for example the pay table above, but for four card hands rather than five card hands. In other words, a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Full House, Flush and Straight are paid on four cards rather than five. Two Pair is paid on Full House odds.

While a general game structure, including several variations, and a particular embodiment of a wagering game according to the present disclosure have been described, the concept of wagering to retain a player card may be applied to other card wagering games.

In its broadest sense, embodiments of the disclosure comprise a card wagering game wherein availability of at least one card for inclusion in a player hand for resolution of the wagering game is dependent upon winning of a required wager. In one embodiment, a player wagers that a second unrevealed card is higher or lower in rank than a first already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the second card is available for inclusion in the player hand. In some embodiments, the first and second cards are cards dealt to the player. In other embodiments, the first and second cards dealt are common, or community cards. In still further embodiments, the first card may be a player card and the second card may be a common, or community card, or vice versa.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example of an individual electronic gaming device 200 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure is shown. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may include an individual player position 214 that includes a player area 232 for a player to interact with the individual electronic gaming device 200. The electronic gaming device 200 may include a gaming screen 274 configured to display indicia for interacting with the individual electronic gaming device 200, such as through processing one or more stored programs to implement the rules of game play at the individual electronic gaming device 200. Accordingly, game play may be accommodated without involving physical playing cards, poker chips, and/or live personnel. The action may instead be simulated by a control processor (not shown) interacting with and controlling the individual electronic gaming device 200. Although the figure has an outline of a traditional gaming cabinet, gaming device 200 may be implemented in any number of ways, including but not limited to client software downloaded to a portable device, such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop personal computer. Gaming device 200 may also be a non-portable personal computer (e.g., a desktop or all-in-one computer) or other computing device. In some embodiments, client software is not downloaded but is native to the device, or otherwise delivered with the device when received by a player.

The gaming screen 274 may be carried by a generally vertically extending cabinet 276 of the individual electronic gaming device 200. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may further include banners (not shown) configured to communicate rules of game play and/or the like, such as along a top portion 278 of the cabinet 276 of the gaming device 200. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may further include additional decorative lights (not shown), and speakers (not shown) for transmitting and/or receiving sounds during game play. Further detail of an example of an individual electronic gaming device (as well as other embodiments of tables and devices) is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/215,156, filed Aug. 22, 2011, and titled “Methods of Managing Play of Wagering Games and Systems for Managing Play of Wagering Games,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

Some embodiments may be implemented at locations that include a plurality of player stations. Such player stations may include an electronic display screen for display of game information, such as displaying virtual cards, virtual chips, and game instructions, and for accepting wagers and facilitating credit balance adjustments. Such player stations may, optionally, be integrated in a table format. While some features may be automated through electronic interfaces (e.g., virtual cards, virtual chips, etc.), some features may remain in the physical domain. As such, the game play may be administered by a live dealer, a virtual dealer, or a combination of both.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example of a suitable table 300 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure is shown. The table 300 may include a playing surface 304. The table 300 may include a plurality of player stations 312 a-312 g. Each player station 312 a-312 g may include a player interface 316 a-316 g, which may be used for display of game information (e.g., game instructions, input options, wager information including virtual chips, game outcomes, etc.). The player interface 316 a-316 g may include a display screen in the form of a touch screen, which may be at least substantially flush with the playing surface 304 in some embodiments. Each player interface 316 a-316 g may be coupled respectively with its own game processor 314 a-314 g (shown in dashed lines), although in some embodiments, a central game processor 328 (shown in dashed lines) may be employed. In some embodiments, a combination of individual game processors 314 a-314 g and a central game processor 328 may be employed.

The table 300 may further include additional features, such as a dealer chip tray 320, which may be used by the dealer to cash players in and out of the wagering game, whereas wagers and balance adjustments during game play may be performed using virtual chips. For embodiments using physical cards 306 a, 306 b, the table 300 may further include a card handling device 322 that may be configured to shuffle, read, and deliver physical cards for the dealer and players to use during game play or, alternatively, a card shoe configured to read and deliver cards that have already been randomized. For embodiments using virtual cards, such virtual cards may be displayed at the individual player interfaces 316 a-316 g. Common virtual cards may be displayed in a common card area (not shown).

The table 300 may further include a dealer interface 318, which, like the player interfaces 314 a-314 g, may include touch screen controls for assisting the dealer in administering the wagering game. The table 300 may further include an upright display 330 configured to display images that depict game information such as pay tables, hand counts, historical win/loss information by player, and a wide variety of other information considered useful to the players. The upright display 330 may be double sided to provide such information to players as well as to the casino pit.

Further detail of an example of a table and player displays is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2010/0016050, filed Jul. 15, 3008, and titled “Split Screen on a Chipless Gaming Table,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Although an embodiment is described showing individual discrete player stations, in some embodiments, the entire playing surface 304 may be an electronic display that is logically partitioned to permit game play from a plurality of players for receiving inputs from, and displaying game information to, the players, the dealer, or both.

Referring to FIG. 6, another example of a suitable table 400 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games having a virtual dealer according to the present disclosure is shown. The table 400 may include player positions 414 that are arranged in a bank about an arcuate edge 420 of a video device 458 that may comprise a card screen 464 and a dealer screen 460. The dealer screen 460 may display a video simulation of the dealer (i.e., a virtual dealer) for interacting with the video device 458, such as through processing one or more stored programs to implement the rules of game play at the video device 458. The dealer screen 460 may be carried by a generally vertically extending cabinet 462 of the video device 458. The card screen 464 may be configured to display at least one or more of the dealer's cards, community cards, and/or player's cards by the virtual dealer on the dealer screen 460 (virtual dealer not shown in FIG. 5).

Each of the player positions 414 a-414 e may include a player area 432 a-432 e which is configured for wagering and game play interactions with the video device 458 and/or virtual dealer. Accordingly, game play may be accommodated without involving physical playing cards, poker chips, and/or live personnel. The action may instead be simulated by a control processor (not shown) interacting with and controlling the video device 458. The control processor may be located internally within, or otherwise proximate to, the video device 458. The control processor may be programmed, by known techniques, to implement the rules of game play at the video device 458. As such, the control processor may interact and communicate with display/input interfaces and data entry inputs for each player area 432 a-432 e of the video device 458. Other embodiments of tables and gaming devices may include a control processor that may be similarly adapted to the specific configuration of its associated device.

The video device 458 may further include banners (not shown) configured to communicate rules of play and/or the like, which may be located along one or more walls 470 of the cabinet 462. The video device 458 may further include additional decorative lights (not shown) and speakers (not shown), which may be located on an underside surface 466, for example, of a generally horizontally depending top 468 of the cabinet 462 of the video device 458 generally extending towards the player positions 414 a-414 e.

Further detail of an example of a table and player displays is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 3005/0164762, filed Jan. 26, 3004, and titled “Automated Multiplayer Game table with Unique Image Feed of Dealer,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Although an embodiment is described showing individual discrete player stations, in some embodiments, the entire playing surface (e.g., player areas 432 a-432 e, card display 464, etc.) may be an electronic display that is logically partitioned to permit game play from a plurality of players for receiving inputs from, and displaying game information to, the players, the dealer, or both.

Wagering games in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure may be administered over the Internet, or otherwise online, in one embodiment using a gaming system employing a client server architecture. Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic block diagram of a gaming system 500 for implementing wagering games according to an embodiment is shown. The gaming system 500 enables end users to access proprietary and/or non-proprietary game content. Such game content may include, without limitation, various types of wagering games such as card games, dice games, big wheel games, roulette, scratch off games (“scratchers”), and any other wagering game where the game outcome is determined, in whole or in part, by one or more random events. This includes, but is not be limited to, Class II and Class III games as defined under 25 U.S.C. §2701 et seq. (“Indian Gaming Regulatory Act”). Such games may include banked and/or non-banked games.

The wagering games supported by the gaming system 500 may be operated with real currency or with virtual credits or other virtual (e.g., electronic) value indicia. For example, the real currency option may be used with traditional casino and lottery-type wagering games in which money or other items of value are wagered and may be cashed out at the end of a game session. The virtual credits option may be used with wagering games in which credits (or other symbols) may be issued to a player to be used for the wagers. A player may be credited with credits in any way allowed, including but not limited to a player purchasing credits, being awarded credits as part of a contest or a win event in this or another game (including non-wagering games), being awarded credits as a reward for use of a product, casino or other enterprise, time played in one session, games played, or may be as simple as virtual credits upon logging in at a particular time or with a particular frequency, etc. Although credits may be won or lost, the ability of the player to cash out credits may be controlled or prevented. In one example, credits acquired (e.g., purchased or awarded) for use in a play for fun game may be limited to non-monetary redemption items, awards, or credits usable in the future or for another game or gaming session. The same credit redemption restrictions may be applied to some or all of credits won in a wagering game as well.

An additional variation includes sites having both play for fun and wagering games, including issuance of free credits usable to play the play for fun games. This may attract players to the site and to the games before they engage in wagering. In some embodiments, a limited number free or promotional credits may be issued to entice players to play the games. Another method of issuing credits includes free credits in exchange for identifying friends who may want to play. In another embodiment, additional credits may be issued after a period of time has elapsed to encourage the player to resume playing the game. The system may enable players to buy additional game credits to allow the player to resume play. Objects of value may be awarded to play for fun players, which may or may not be in a direct exchange for credits. For example, a prize may be awarded or won for a highest scoring play for fun player during a defined time interval. All variations of credit redemption are contemplated, as desired by game designers and game hosts (the person or entity controlling the hosting systems).

The gaming system 500 may include a gaming platform that establishes a portal for an end user to access a wagering game hosted by a game server 506 through a user interaction server 502. The user device 520 may communicate with a user interaction server 502 of the gaming system 500 using a network 530 (e.g., the Internet). The user interaction server 502 may communicate with the game server 506 and provide game information to the user. In some embodiments, the game server 506 may also be a game engine. In some embodiments, a single user device communicates with a game provided by the game server 506, while other embodiments may include a plurality of user devices 520 configured to communicate and provide end users with access to the same game provided by game server 506. In addition, a plurality of end users may access a single user interaction server 502, or, a plurality of user interaction servers 502 to access game server 506.

The user interaction server 502 may communicate with the user device 520 to enable access to the gaming system 500. The user interaction server 502 may enable a user to create and access a user account and interact with gaming server 506. The user interaction server 502 may enable users to initiate new games, join existing games, and interface with games being played by the user.

The user interaction server 502 may also provide a client 522 for execution on the user device for accessing the gaming system 500. The client 522 provided by the gaming system 500 for execution on the user device 520 can comprise a variety of implementations according to the user device and method of communication with the gaming system 500. In one embodiment, the user device 520 connects to the gaming system 500 using a web browser and the client 522 executes within a browser window or frame of the web browser. In another embodiment, the client 522 is a stand-alone executable on the user device 520.

In one embodiment, the client 522 may comprise a relatively small amount of script (e.g., JavaScript®), also referred to as a “script driver,” including scripting language that controls an interface of the client 522. The script driver may include simple function calls requesting information from the gaming system 500. In other words, the script driver stored in the client 522 may merely include calls to functions that are externally defined by, and executed by, the gaming system 500. As a result, the client 522 may be characterized as a “thin client.” As that term is used herein, the client 522 may be little more than a script player. The client 522 may simply send requests to the gaming system 500 rather than performing logic itself. The client 522 receives player inputs and the player inputs are passed to gaming system 500 for processing and executing the wagering game. In one embodiment, this includes providing specific graphical display information to client 522 as well as game outcomes.

In other embodiments, the client 522 comprises an executable rather than a script. In that case, client 522 may do more local processing than does a script driver, such as calculating where to show what game symbols upon receiving a game outcome from game server 506 through user interaction server 502. In one embodiment, it may be that portions of asset server 504 are loaded onto the client 522, and used by the client in processing and updating graphical displays. Due to security and integrity concerns, most embodiments will have the bulk of the processing of the game play performed in the gaming system 500. However, some embodiments may include significant game processing by client 522 when the client and user device 520 are considered trustworthy, or, when there is reduced concern for security and integrity in the displayed game outcome. In most embodiments, it is expected that some form of data protection, such as end-to-end encryption, will be used when data is transported over network 530. Network 530 may be any network, including but not limited to the Internet.

In an embodiment where the client 522 implements further logic and game control methodology beyond the thin client, the client 522 may parse and define player interactions prior to passing the player interactions to the gaming system 500. Likewise, when the client 522 receives a gaming interaction from the gaming system 500, the client 522 may be configured to determine how to modify the display as a result of the gaming interaction. The client 522 may also allow the player to change a perspective or otherwise interact with elements of the display which do not change aspects of the game.

The gaming system 500 may include an asset server 504 which may host various media assets (e.g., audio, video, and image files) that may be sent to the client 522 for presenting the various wagering games to the end user. In other words, in this embodiment the assets presented to the end user may be stored separately from the client 522. In one embodiment, the client 522 requests the assets appropriate for the game played by the user; in other embodiments, especially those using thin clients, just those assets that are needed for a particular display event will be sent by game server 500 when the game server determines they are needed, including as few as one asset. In one example, the client 522 may call a function defined at the user interaction server 502 or asset server 504 which may determine which assets are to be delivered to the client 522 as well as how the assets are to be presented by the client 522 to the end user. Different assets may correspond to the various clients that may have access to the game server 506 or to different games to be played.

The game server 506 is configured to perform game play methods and determine game play outcomes that are provided to the user interaction server 502 to be transmitted to user device 520 for display on the end user's computer. For example, the game server 506 may include game rules for one or more wagering games, such that the game server 506 controls some or all of the game flow for a selected wagering game, as well as the determining game outcomes. Game server 506 may include pay tables and other game logic. The game server 506 also performs random number generation for determining random game elements of the wagering game. In one embodiment, the game server 506 is separated from the user interaction server 502 by a firewall or other method of preventing unauthorized access to the game server 506 from the general members of the network 530.

The user device 520 may present a gaming interface to the player and communicate the user interaction to the gaming system 500. The user device 520 may be any electronic system capable of displaying gaming information, receiving user input, and communicating the user input to the gaming system 500. As such, the user device 520 can be a desktop computer, a laptop, tablet computer, set-top box, mobile device including but not limited to smart phones, kiosk, terminal, or other computing device. The user device 520 may operate the client 522 for connecting to the interactive gaming system 200 as described above. The client 522 may be a specialized application or may be executed within a generalized application capable of interpreting instructions from the interactive gaming system 500, such as a web browser.

The client 522 may interface with an end user through a web page, or an application that runs on a device including but not limited to a smartphone, tablet, or general computer, or be any other computer program configurable to access the gaming system 500. The client 522 may be illustrated within a casino webpage (or other interface) indicating that the client 522 is embedded into a webpage, which is supported by a web browser executing on the client device 520.

In one embodiment, the gaming system 500 may be operated by different entities. The user device 520 may be operated by a third party, such as a casino or an individual, that links to the gaming system 500, which may be operated, for example, by a wagering game service provider. Therefore, in some embodiments, the user device 520 and client 522 may be operated by a different administrator than the operator of the game server 506. In other words, the user device 520 may be part of a third-party system that does not administer or otherwise control the gaming system 500 or game server 506. In another embodiment, the user interaction server 502 and asset server 504 are provided by a third-party system. For example, a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may operate the user interaction server 502 or user device 520 to provide its customers access to game content managed by a different entity which may control game server 506, amongst other functionality. In some embodiments, these functions are operated by the same administrator. For example, a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may elect to perform each of these functions in-house, such as providing both the access to the user device 520 and the actual game content and providing administration of the gaming system 500.

The gaming system 500 may communicate with external account servers 510, optionally through another firewall. For example, the gaming system 500 itself may not directly accept wagers or issue payouts. That is, the gaming system 500 may facilitate online casino gaming, but may not be part of a self-contained online casino itself. Instead, the gaming system 500 may facilitate the play of wagering games owned and controlled by a company offering games and gaming products and services, such as Shuffle Master, Inc. Another entity (e.g., a casino or any account holder or financial system of record) may operate and maintain its external account servers 510 to accept bets and make payout distributions. The gaming system 500 may communicate with the account servers 510 to verify the existence of funds for wagering, and instruct the account server 510 to execute debits and credits.

In some embodiments, the gaming system 500 may directly accept bets and make payout distributions, such as in the case where an administrator of the gaming system 500 operates as a casino. As discussed above, the gaming system 500 may be integrated within the operations of a casino rather than separating out functionality (e.g., game content, game play, credits, debits, etc.) among different entities. In addition, for play for fun wagering games, the gaming system 500 may issue credits, take bets, and manage the balance of the credits according to the game outcomes, but may not permit payout distributions or be linked to account server 510 that permits payout distributions. Such credits may be issued for free, through purchase, or for other reasons, without the ability for the player to cash out. Such play for fun wagering games may be played on platforms that do not permit traditional gambling, such as to comply with jurisdictions that do not permit online gambling.

The gaming system 500 may be configured in many ways, from a fully integrated single system to a distributed server architecture. The asset server 504, user interaction server 502, game server 506, and account server 510 may be configured as a single, integrated system of code modules running on a single server or machine, where each of the servers is functionality implemented on a single machine. In such a case, the functionality described herein may not be implemented as separate code modules. The asset server 504, user interaction server 502, game server 506, and account server 510 may also be implemented as a plurality of independent servers, each using its own code modules running on a separate physical machine, and may further include one or more firewalls between selected servers (depending on security needs). Each server could communicate over some kind of networked connection, potentially as varied as that described for network 530. Further, each single server shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented as a plurality of servers with load balancing and scalability factors built into the embodiment. All such embodiments and variations are fully contemplated.

Additional features may be supported by the game server 506, such as hacking and cheating detection, data storage and archival, metrics generation, messages generation, output formatting for different end user devices, as well as other features and operations. For example, the gaming system 500 may include additional features and configurations as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/353,194, filed Jan. 18, 2012, and titled “Network Gaming Architecture, Gaming Systems, and Related Methods,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety by this reference.

The network 530 may enable communications between the user device 520 and the gaming system 500. A network (not shown) may also connect the gaming system 500 and account server 510, and further one or more networks may interconnect one or more of the other servers shown collectively as game system 500. In one embodiment, the network 530 uses standard communications technologies and/or protocols. Thus, the network 530 can include links using technologies such as Ethernet, 802.11, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), 3G, digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), InfiniBand, PCI Express Advanced Switching, etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the network 530 can include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), the file transfer protocol (FTP), etc. The data exchanged over the network 530 can be represented using technologies and/or formats including the hypertext markup language (HTML), the extensible markup language (XML), etc. In addition, all or some of links can be encrypted using conventional encryption technologies such as secure sockets layer (SSL), transport layer security (TLS), virtual private networks (VPNs), Internet Protocol security (IPsec), etc. In another embodiment, the entities can use custom and/or dedicated data communications technologies instead of, or in addition to, the ones described above. Depending upon the embodiment, the network 530 can include links comprising one or more networks such as the Internet.

Referring to FIG. 8, a high-level block diagram of a computer 540 for acting as a gaming system 500 according to one embodiment is shown. Illustrated are at least one processor 542 coupled to a chipset 544. Also coupled to the chipset 544 are a memory 546, a storage device 548, a keyboard 550, a graphics adapter 552, a pointing device 554, and a network adapter 556. A display 558 is coupled to the graphics adapter 552. In one embodiment, the functionality of the chipset 544 is provided by a memory controller hub 560 and an I/O controller hub 562. In another embodiment, the memory 546 is coupled directly to the processor 542 instead of the chipset 544.

The storage device 548 is any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a hard drive, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD, or a solid-state memory device (e.g., a flash drive). The memory 546 holds instructions and data used by the processor 542. The pointing device 554 may be a mouse, track ball, or other type of pointing device, and is used in combination with the keyboard 550 to input data into the computer system 540. The graphics adapter 552 displays images and other information on the display 558. The network adapter 556 couples the computer system 540 to a local or wide area network.

As is known in the art, a computer 540 can have different and/or other components than those shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the computer 540 can lack certain illustrated components. In one embodiment, a computer 540 acting as a gaming system 500 lacks a keyboard 550, pointing device 554, graphics adapter 552, and/or display 558. Moreover, the storage device 548 can be local and/or remote from the computer 540 (such as embodied within a storage area network (SAN)).

The gaming system 500 may comprise several such computers 540. The gaming system 500 may include load balancers, firewalls, and various other components for assisting the gaming system 500 to provide services to a variety of user devices.

As is known in the art, the computer 540 is adapted to execute computer program modules for providing functionality described herein. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computer program logic utilized to provide the specified functionality. Thus, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software. In one embodiment, program modules are stored on the storage device 548, loaded into the memory 546, and executed by the processor 542.

Embodiments of the entities described herein can include other and/or different modules than the ones described here. In addition, the functionality attributed to the modules can be performed by other or different modules in other embodiments. Moreover, this description occasionally omits the term “module” for purposes of clarity and convenience.

Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps (instructions) leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Furthermore, it is also convenient at times to refer to certain arrangements of steps requiring physical manipulations or transformation of physical quantities or representations of physical quantities as modules or code devices, without loss of generality.

However, all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device (such as a specific computing machine), that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Certain aspects of the embodiments include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the embodiments can be embodied in software, firmware, or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems. The embodiments can also be in a computer program product which can be executed on a computing system.

Some embodiments also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. Such an apparatus may be specially constructed for the purposes, e.g., a specific computer, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Memory can include any of the above and/or other devices that can store information/data/programs and can be transient or non-transient medium, where a non-transient or non-transitory medium can include memory/storage that stores information for more than a minimal duration. Furthermore, the computers referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the method steps. The structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description herein. In addition, the embodiments are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the embodiments as described herein, and any references herein to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode.

Additional, non-limiting example embodiments include the following:

Embodiment 1: A method of administering a wagering game comprising: accepting an initial wager from each participating player position; dealing a plurality of cards to each participating player position; dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position; receiving a check or an additional play wager from each participating player position; responsive to receiving a check decision, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least one of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, receiving another check or a second additional play wager from each participating player position; responsive to receiving the another check decision, or if the second additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least another of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position; and if the second additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play; revealing the plurality of cards at the common card position; the dealer considering the plurality of cards remaining at each participating player position in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for that respective participating player position; and paying a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition.

Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising: offering participating players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of community cards; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a participating player position, paying a payout for a predetermined winning community hand composition.

Embodiment 3: The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, further comprising paying the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.

Embodiment 4: The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.

Embodiment 5: The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4, wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings.

Embodiment 6: The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 5, wherein the additional play wager is 1× the initial wager.

Embodiment 7: A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: the dealer receiving an Ante wager from each player participating in the game; the dealer dealing at least three cards to each player, face down; the dealer placing a first card of the at least three cards in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, face down, for each player; the dealer dealing a plurality of common cards; the dealer revealing the first card in the first card area for each player; the dealer accepting one of a check and an additional wager from each player; when the dealer accepts a check from a player, the dealer removing at least the second card from the second area for that respective player; when the dealer receives an additional wager from a player, resolving the additional wager for that respective player by: revealing the second card for that respective player; taking the additional wager and removing the second card responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively not higher or lower than the first card; and leaving the additional wager in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; the dealer receiving one of another check or a second additional play wager from each player; when the dealer receives a second additional play wager from a player, resolving the second additional play wager for that respective player by: revealing the third card for that respective player; taking the second additional play wager and removing the third card responsive to a player predicting that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third player card is not higher or lower than the second card; and leaving the second additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a player predicting that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; the dealer revealing the plurality of common cards; the dealer determining, for each player, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not removed cards for each player with the plurality of common cards; and paying a payout to a player when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.

Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 7, further comprising: offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of common cards; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.

Embodiment 9: The method of Embodiment 7 or Embodiment 8, wherein the dealer deals four common cards.

Embodiment 10: The method of any one of Embodiments 7 through 9, further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.

Embodiment 11: The method of any one of Embodiments 7 through 9, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.

Embodiment 12: The method of any one of Embodiments 7 through 11, wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings.

Embodiment 13: The method of any one of Embodiments 7 through 12, wherein the additional wager is 1× the initial wager.

Embodiment 14: The method of any one of Embodiments 7 through 13, wherein, in determining whether the second card is either higher or lower in rank than the first card in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when the first and second cards are of the same rank, the player wins.

Embodiment 15: A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: accepting an Ante wager from each player participating in the game; the dealer dealing at least three cards to each participating player, face down; the dealer dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position; the dealer positioning each card dealt to a participating player face down in one of at least a first position, a second position, and a third position; the dealer revealing a card in the first position for each participating player; the dealer accepting, from each participating player, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the first position, and for each participating player: the dealer revealing at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; the dealer removing all cards for a player except the card in the first position when a player checks; the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; if the card in the second position is not removed, and before revealing the cards in the common card position: the dealer accepting, from each participating player, another election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the second position, and for each participating player: the dealer revealing a remaining card of the three cards in the third position; the dealer removing the card in the third position for a player when a player checks; the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; the dealer revealing the plurality of cards in the common card position; the dealer combining the revealed card or cards for each participating player with the at least one common card to form a poker hand; and paying each participating player having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.

Embodiment 16: The method of Embodiment 15, further comprising: offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of cards in the common card position; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.

Embodiment 17: The method of Embodiment 15 or Embodiment 16, further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.

Embodiment 18: The method of Embodiment 15 or Embodiment 16, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.

Embodiment 19: The method of any one of Embodiments 15 through 18, wherein the high wager or the low wager is 1× the Ante wager.

Embodiment 20: The method of any one of Embodiments 15 through 19, wherein, in determining whether the card in the second position is either higher or lower in rank than the card in the first position in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when cards in the first position and the second position are of the same rank, the player wins.

Embodiment 21: A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including at least one player interface for a player position; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: accept a wager from the at least one player interface; deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one player interface; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; receive a check or an additional play wager from the at least one player interface; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; receive a check or another additional play wager from the at least one player interface; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position; consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one player interface in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and pay a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition.

Embodiment 22: A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including a player interface for at least one player position; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: receive an Ante wager from the at least one player position; deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for display in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one player position; deal a plurality of common cards for display; reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one player position; accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one player position; when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the second card from the second area; when receiving an additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the second card for the at least one player position; taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one player position; when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the third card from the third area; when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the third card for the at least one player position; taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; reveal the plurality of common cards; determine, for the at least one player position, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and pay a payout to a player position when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.

Embodiment 23: A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including at least one player interface; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: accept an Ante wager from the at least one player interface; deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one player interface, in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position; accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and: reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; delete all cards associated with the at least one player position except the card in the first position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and: reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; delete all remaining cards associated with the at least one player position except the cards in the first position and the second position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position; combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one player interface with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and pay the at least one player interface having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.

Embodiment 24: A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: accept a wager authorized over a communication network from at least one remote user device; deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one remote user device for remote display; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position for remote display; receive a check or an additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; receive a check or another additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display; consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one remote user device in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device for a predetermined winning player hand composition.

Embodiment 25: A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: receive an Ante wager over a communication network from at least one remote user device; deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for remote display in a first card, and a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one remote user device; deal a plurality of common cards for remote display; reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one remote user device; accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one remote user device; when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the second player card from the second area; when receiving an additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the second card for the at least one remote user device; taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one remote user device; when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the third player card from the third area; when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the third card for the at least one remote user device; taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; reveal the at least one common card for remote display; determine, for the at least one remote user device, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.

Embodiment 26: A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: accept an Ante wager from at least one remote user device; deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one remote user device, for remote display in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; deal a plurality of cards for remote display in a common card position; reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position for remote display; accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and: reveal the card in the second position; delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and: reveal the card in the third position; delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position and the card in the second position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display; combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one remote user device with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in connection with the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that embodiments encompassed by the disclosure are not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and described herein. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure, such as those hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from one disclosed embodiment may be combined with features of another disclosed embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure as contemplated by the inventor. 

1. A method of administering a wagering game comprising: accepting an initial wager from each participating player position; dealing a plurality of cards to each participating player position; dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position; receiving a check or an additional play wager from each participating player position; responsive to receiving a check decision, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least one of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, receiving another check or a second additional play wager from each participating player position; responsive to receiving the another check decision, or if the second additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least another of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position; and if the second additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play; revealing the plurality of cards at the common card position; the dealer considering the plurality of cards remaining at each participating player position in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for that respective participating player position; and paying a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: offering participating players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of community cards; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a participating player position, paying a payout for a predetermined winning community hand composition.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising paying the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional play wager is 1× the initial wager.
 7. A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: the dealer receiving an Ante wager from each player participating in the game; the dealer dealing at least three cards to each player, face down; the dealer placing a first card of the at least three cards in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, face down, for each player; the dealer dealing a plurality of common cards; the dealer revealing the first card in the first card area for each player; the dealer accepting one of a check and an additional wager from each player; when the dealer accepts a check from a player, the dealer removing at least the second card from the second area for that respective player; when the dealer receives an additional wager from a player, resolving the additional wager for that respective player by: revealing the second card for that respective player; taking the additional wager and removing the second card responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively not higher or lower than the first card; and leaving the additional wager in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; the dealer receiving one of another check or a second additional play wager from each player; when the dealer receives a second additional play wager from a player, resolving the second additional play wager for that respective player by: revealing the third card for that respective player; taking the second additional play wager and removing the third card responsive to a player predicting that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third player card is not higher or lower than the second card; and leaving the second additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a player predicting that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; the dealer revealing the plurality of common cards; the dealer determining, for each player, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not removed cards for each player with the plurality of common cards; and paying a payout to a player when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of common cards; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the dealer deals four common cards.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the additional wager is 1× the initial wager.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein, in determining whether the second card is either higher or lower in rank than the first card in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when the first and second cards are of the same rank, the player wins.
 15. A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: accepting an Ante wager from each player participating in the game; the dealer dealing at least three cards to each participating player, face down; the dealer dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position; the dealer positioning each card dealt to a participating player face down in one of at least a first position, a second position, and a third position; the dealer revealing a card in the first position for each participating player; the dealer accepting, from each participating player, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the first position, and for each participating player: the dealer revealing at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; the dealer removing all cards for a player except the card in the first position when a player checks; the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; if the card in the second position is not removed, and before revealing the cards in the common card position: the dealer accepting, from each participating player, another election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the second position, and for each participating player: the dealer revealing a remaining card of the three cards in the third position; the dealer removing the card in the third position for a player when a player checks; the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; the dealer revealing the plurality of cards in the common card position; the dealer combining the revealed card or cards for each participating player with the at least one common card to form a poker hand; and paying each participating player having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of cards in the common card position; and responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the high wager or the low wager is 1× the Ante wager.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein, in determining whether the card in the second position is either higher or lower in rank than the card in the first position in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when cards in the first position and the second position are of the same rank, the player wins.
 21. A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including at least one player interface for a player position; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: accept a wager from the at least one player interface; deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one player interface; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; receive a check or an additional play wager from the at least one player interface; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; receive a check or another additional play wager from the at least one player interface; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position; consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one player interface in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and pay a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition.
 22. A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including a player interface for at least one player position; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: receive an Ante wager from the at least one player position; deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for display in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one player position; deal a plurality of common cards for display; reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one player position; accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one player position; when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the second card from the second area; when receiving an additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the second card for the at least one player position; taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one player position; when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the third card from the third area; when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the third card for the at least one player position; taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; reveal the plurality of common cards; determine, for the at least one player position, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and pay a payout to a player position when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.
 23. A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including at least one player interface; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: accept an Ante wager from the at least one player interface; deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one player interface, in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position; accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and: reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; delete all cards associated with the at least one player position except the card in the first position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and: reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; delete all remaining cards associated with the at least one player position except the cards in the first position and the second position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position; combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one player interface with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and pay the at least one player interface having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.
 24. A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: accept a wager authorized over a communication network from at least one remote user device; deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one remote user device for remote display; deal a plurality of cards to a common card position for remote display; receive a check or an additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; receive a check or another additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display; consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one remote user device in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device for a predetermined winning player hand composition.
 25. A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: receive an Ante wager over a communication network from at least one remote user device; deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for remote display in a first card, and a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one remote user device; deal a plurality of common cards for remote display; reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one remote user device; accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one remote user device; when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the second player card from the second area; when receiving an additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the second card for the at least one remote user device; taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one remote user device; when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the third player card from the third area; when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by: revealing the third card for the at least one remote user device; taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; reveal the at least one common card for remote display; determine, for the at least one remote user device, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.
 26. A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising: a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to: accept an Ante wager from at least one remote user device; deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one remote user device, for remote display in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; deal a plurality of cards for remote display in a common card position; reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position for remote display; accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and: reveal the card in the second position; delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and: reveal the card in the third position; delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position and the card in the second position responsive to a check; take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display; combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one remote user device with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken. 